The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-11-04
"BABY'S" HEROISM.
The Noble Self Sacrifice OF q
FluclSy Boy.

1t was on bright morning early in
June, some years ago. that the prac-
tice ships at the United States Naval
Academy were towed down the river
Severn, from their winter resting
places. and anchored just outside the
.sand-bar. which divides the river prop
-er from Chesapeake Bay.
Preparatory to making the regular
summer cruise. the ships must be fitted
with all their running rigging. that is.
the ropes used in the manipulation of
the spars and sails, which we're now
slowed away below. Inasmuch As some
of the rigging was worn and needed to
be replaced. we anticipated 4 very busy
sday or two.
The cadets had taken up their quar-
tiers on board the ships only the day
before, bringing their clothing and eff
fects. books and bedding, from the
quarters in the yard" as the acade-
my grounds are called: but the '.blue-
Jackets or sailors. had been sent on
board some time previously. so the
ships were in apple-pie order, and
every thing was ready to work.
At six clock in the morning. after a
long nights rest, ..ail hands" We're
called, and the hammocAs. each with
its number in large red or black fig
ures. red for the port and black for the
starboard watch. were brought on deck.
and were slowed in long. snowy line
along the rail.
Then the cadets rushed forward to
the Mushroom on the berth-deck. :nd
afterwards arrayed themselves in the
regulation white duck working-Suits,
Just like sailor suit, hut with a jaunty
polo-cap. instead Of s1he cumbersome
panca.e-shaped head-sea1 the blue
jackets"
There were three classes of cadets on
board-the first, third and fourth. or
..plebes" The first class had been at
the academy three years. and. with the
third class. had already made several
short cruises. but this was the first sea
service of the ..plebes.'
Among these newcomers l noticed,
particularly. slender-fgurea boy OF
certainly not more than fourteen. witt
a pale face. large blue eyes, and an ex.
preston of almost girlish gentlenes:
and an unsophisticated manner
which, thought to myself with some
regret. certainly would not last long
among the rough crowd on board.
His name was Charley Beeston. but
his classmates had already christenet
him baby n name which seemed
likely 30 stick. rs he made no effort t.
throw it off. tried TO get acquainted
with him. but he seemed reserved anc
SHY. and / could get nothing out of hin
but Yes. SIR" or mo. sir"
While | was talking to him. TIL
boa swains' silver whistles began t.
sound on both ships at once. emphaslz
ing the eight bells that struck. and tn
call rang out: "All hands rig ship"
Instantly. as if by magic. the deck o
our ship became alive with men hasten
ing TO their several posts. some scraml
ling up the ladders from below. wher
they had been smoking a morning
nine, while the officers took thei
places. the captain s.ationing himse.
-on the quarterback by the wheel. a
though his presence was supertiuou'
for the executive officer had charge c
1hc ship.
Then ensued one of those scenes c
systematic confusion and orderly bu:
tie. which is never seen off man-o
war. and which can hardly be imagine
10y one who has not witnessed it.
Fancy between two and three hun
-dred men Fastening in various dire'
tions, each one doing his own ailotte
task. with which he is perfectly faml
iar, having done it many times befor'
and all SO deity keeping out OF eac
others way as to awaken profound ~
miration in the mind of one who do'
not know the secret-that all, even Il
officers. are uader the control OF OF
mind. and each does his own share, 4
more and NO less
Here arc half dozen men Stage